Insulated rail-joint.



B. G. BRAINE.

INSULATED RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED BEPT.19, 1910.

1,032,875. Patented July 16, 1912.

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INSULATED RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED SEP,T.19, 1910 1,032,875. Patented July 16, 1912.

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INSULATED RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1910.

UN sans PATENT orrron.

BANCROFT G. BRAINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE RAIL JOINT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INSULATED RAIL-JOINT.

Application filed September Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be. it known that I, BANGROFT G. BRAINE, a citizen of the United States, residin at New York city, in the county of New ork and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 111811? lated Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to the subject of rail joints of the insulated type, and has particularly in View certain novel and practical improvements in joints of this characterwhich are intended to maintain, in a thoroughly practical and reliable manner, a maximum bearing .surface for the insulating material was to better preserve the same againstthe destructive influences to which. the same is ordinarily subjected.

To this end the invention primarily contemplates an improvement in that class of insulated rail joints employing metallic filler pieces which are interposed between the rails and the splice bars, .and which cooperate with the latter to provide an increased hearing surface for that portion of the insulation which" receives the pound from the railhead, and in connection with a'joint of this character provides means for positively locking or fastening the filler pieces in operative relation to the other joint parts, so that such filler pieces are reliably prevented from canting or other independent movement that would tend to decrease the bearing surface on the upper flange of the insulation.

With these' and other. objects in View, which will readily appear to those familiar with the art as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The essential feature of the invention involved in the fastened connect-ion between the filler pieces and the splice-bars, is necessarily susceptible to structural modification according to the character of the joint and according to the character of the joint bars, without departing from thescope of. the invention, but certain preferred and practical embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of an insulated rail joint constructed in ac- 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof, the line of section includingthe fastenings to Fig. 2 showing a modification in the kind of fastenmgs employed for the filler pieces.

another kind of fastening that may be employed for locking the filler pieces to the sphce-bars. Fig. 5 is-a side elevation illusjtrating the invention applied to a one-end insulated rail joint, that is, to a rail joint wherein the insulation is confined to one'rail end and the parts immediately associated therewith. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 illustrating the use of the metal filler or-liner on the receivjoint. j

Like references designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings. In carrying out the present invention it is stricted in its application to any one prescribed design of railjoint, inasmuch as the same is capable of embodiment in a variety of joints without departing from the invenwide range of modification of whichthe invention is susceptible, I have shown several embodiments thereof. in the drawings.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in F igs; 1 and 2 of the drawings, the'insulated rail joint therein shown includes in its organization the service rails R, R, splice-bars 1-1, discontinuous or halflength angle filler pieces 2, the joint bolts 3,

particularly pointed out and explained.

As stated, the essential features of the present invention are combinable with formed with or without a base support for the rail, it only being necessary that an approved design of splice-bar be employed that includes in its construction an upright or fish-plate member 4 which is provided at its upper edge with an outturned inclined ing surface 6 presents a greater area than the area of the under side of the rail-head. However, there is shown in said Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the application of them- Patented July 16, 1912.

Fig; 4 is a detail sectional view illustrating not intended that the same be limited or retion. However, in order to exemplify the and suitable insulation, all of which will be splice-bars or joint bars of diiferent designs,- and irrespective of Whether such bars arebearing flange 5 whose upper inclined bearfor the filler pieces. Fig. 3 1s a view similar .70 ing end of the joint to compensate for the insulating material on the other end of the per-bearing flange 5, but also has formed therewith an integral inclined foot flange 7 overlying the upper side of the rail flange,

and a'horizontal inwardly extending baseplate 8" formed integrally with the footfiange 7 and underlying the base of the rail.

While the splice-bar 1 at each side of the.

rails extends the full length of the joint, the angle filler pieces 2 consist of metallic bars extending onehalf the length of the joint so that each rail has a pair of the filler pieces associated therewith, and located respectively upon opposite sides thereof within the fishing spaces. Each of these metall c angle filler pieces 2 essentially consistsof an upright member or skirt 9, formed at its upper edge with a bearing head 10 underlying and directly engaging the under side of the rail-head, and in addition thereto the said upright member of the filler piece is pro- I vided at its upper edge portion with an outturned bearing flange 11 formed at its under side with an inclined bearing face 12 opposing and corresponding to the bearing face 6 at the upper. edge of the splice-bar, said bearing face 12 of the filler piece being likewise more extensive in area than the area of the under side of the rail-head so as to provide a widened and increased bearing surface for the upper flange 13' ofthe side insulating sheet 14 which is interposed between the splice-bar and the filler member. The insulation, 1314 consists of the usual fiber or equivalentinsulating material, and in the application of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawingsthe same has a cuff portion 15 which embraces the rail flange and hence lies between the rail flange and the elements 7 and 8 of the joint-bar. The general insulation of the joint is completed by the usual insulatingend-post 16 interposed between the rail ends, and also between the ends of the fillers at opposite sides of the joints, and by the usual boltinsulation 17 for the joint bolts 3.

The improtant and distinguishing feature of the present invention is to provide a fastened connection between the individual filler-pieces and the splice-bar cooperating therewith, which fastened connection is independent of the joint bolts or other joint fastening devices which hold the various elements of the joint in assembled relation. This may be accomplished in various Ways,

such, for instance, as by means of any suit-- able number of fastening bolts 18, arranged in alined bolt-holes in' the filler-pieceand the adjoining splice-bar, the nuts 19 for said bolts being exposed upon the outer sides of the splice-bar for convenient manipu-lation. In connection with the bolt fastenings 18 there is associated with the same or fastened to the spliceebars and do not interfere in the least with the'regular adjustment of such bars from time to time.

Also, this independent fastened connection for the filler pieces serves to hold them in the correct position and prevents the same from canting or other independent.movement that might tend to decrease the bearing surface upon the upper flange 13 of the insulating material.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings is suggested a modification of theinvention showing its application to splice-bars having no base support for the rails, and also illustrating the employment of fastening bolts 18 having the heads at their inner ends countersunk in the filler-members as shown at'22.

By way of illustrating the wide range of modificationthat may be resorted to in the kind of fastening employed for the fillerpieces, there is suggested in Fig. 4 of the drawings the use of insulated; rivets 23, arranged in the alined holes in the filler-piece and splice-bar, and upset at their ends in the manner of the usual rivets, thereby providing a permanent riveted connection between the parts referred to, instead of the detachable bolted connection shown in the other forms. Also, it will be readily understood from the illustration of Fig. 4 and the other figures of the drawings, that the improved construction claimed herein may be utilized on one side of the joint only, permitting the use of any other form of insulated splice bar on the opposite side of the rail, as will be well understood by those familiar with the art. Furthermore, while the forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. of

that any improved insulating expedients the drawings suggest the use of continuous I or one piece insulating sheets 14, it is obvious may be utilized to effect a thorough insulation of opposite metallic surfaces, such for instance as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings wherein is illustratedarr-insulation consisting of separate upper and lower sections, the upper section 14 being interposed between the filler piece and the splice bar and pro-. vided with an upper flange portion 13*, while the lower section of insulation 15 may be in the form of a cuff embracing the rail flange and interposed between the latter and the elements 7 and 8 of the splice bar. Ob-

viously other modified forms on insulation may be resorted to in the invention without departing from its principle or scope.

In further exemplification of the invention, the same is shown in Figs. 5 and Gof the drawings as applied to a one-end insulated joint, that is, to a rail joint wherein the insulation is confined to one rail end and the parts immediately associated therewith. This embodiment of the invention as shown in said Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings may be in all respects the same as the design of joint shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, with the exception that instead of employing the insulating plates or sheets on the receiving end of the joint, thereareused metal fillers or liners interposed between the filler pieces and splice bars and also embracing the rail flanges, as plainly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. These metal fillers or liners 30 are of the same form and dimensions as the insulating sheets let on the 0pposite end of the joint. Hence, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, at the receivin end of the joint, the same is of an all-meta construction wherein the parts of the joint have a direct metallic engagement, and it is also unnecessary at this end of the joint to insulate the bolts. While it is preferable in the one-end insulated joint to utilize the compensating metal fillers or liners 30 on the non-insulated end of the joint, it will be understood that the same mechanical results can be accomplished by the well known eX- podient of increasing the thickness of the metal filler bar, on the non-insulated end of the joint, to an extent corresponding to the combined thickness of the filler bar and insulation on the insulated end of the joint, or by increasing the thickness of the head of the splice bar in the same manner and for the same purpose. The fastening means for the filler pieces can be employed at as many different points throughout the length of the joint as desired.

I claim, V

1; In a rail joint, the rail, an adjustable splice bar, a metallic filler piece engaging. the under side of the rail head, and fastening means, independent of the joint fastenings, for securing the filler piece to. the splice bar and supporting itthereon.

2. In an insulated rail joint, the rail, a splice bar, a metallic filler piece engaging the under side of the rail head, insulation, and fastening means, independent of the joint fastenings, for securing and joining together the filler piece, the insulation, and the splice bar.

3. In an insulated rail joint, the rail, an adjustable splice bar, a metallic filler piece engaging the under side of the rail head, insulation, and fastening means, independent of the .joint fastenings, for securing and joining together the filler pieoe, the insulation, and the splice bar.

4;. In an insulated rail joint, the rail, 3 splice bar, a metallic filler piece engaging the under side of the rail head, insulation interposed between the splice bar and the filler piece, and fastenings, independent of the joint fastenings, for securing and join ing together the splice bar, the insulation, and the fillerpiece.

5. In an insulated rail joint, the rail, an adjust-able splice her having a bearing flange, a metallic filler piece engaging the under side of the rail head and having a bearing flange overlying that of the splice barandpresenting a face of greater area than. the area of the under side of the rail head, insulation, and fastenings, independ ent of the joint fastenings, for securing and joining together the splice bar, the insulation, and the filler piece.

6. In an insulated rail joint, the rail, a splice bar, a metallic filler piece engaging beneath the rail head, insulating material interposed between the filler piece and the splice bar, and fastening bolts, independent of the other joint bolts, for securing and joining together the splice bar, the insulation, and the filler piece.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. BANGROFT G. BRAINE.

Witnesses:

E. F. SCHERMERHORN, W. R. HALLIDAY. 

